There's a wealth I info in there that will help on anyone's hiking endeavors. I'd look into "wetting through" before you pull the trigger on something really expensive.

I often don't bring a shell for summer AT hiking because if it. The shell I do have is the Patagonia torentshell pull over. I like it a great deal and almost bought a second when I thought I'd lost it. You can get one too for 70 or so dollars.

Ponchos are okay as long as the wind isn't blowing. At that point, they're about as useful as a big, wide skirt (remember that iconic pic of Marilyn Monroe?). I carried them a few times, thinking I'd use one as a tarp. Never happened, probably since I had a tent with a floor. Just my experience.